Greater New Orleans

Jumpin into June horse show starts June 16 in Folsom

The annual Jumpin’ Into June Benefit Horse Show, June 16 through 19 at Lagniappe Farms in Folsom, is not only a fundraiser for the Children’s Advocacy Center but is also a great way to spend a lazy summer day.

This is the fifth year that Aertker Sporthorses is hosting the show and the fourth year that the Children’s Advocacy Center in Covington is the beneficiary of the proceeds.

The event attracts equestrian competitors from across the Gulf Coast.

According to Liz Taurman, development director for the Children’s Advocacy Center/Hope House, the event has raised more than $42,000 for the center over the past three years.

“About one third of our operating budget comes from fundraising and this is one of our third largest fundraiser after the Mad Hatter Tea and the annual Christian Golfers Association tournament,” Taurman said.

This free event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, showcases more than 130 equestrians from beginner to professional who compete for prizes and the opportunity to meet personal performance goals in an ongoing round of hunter-jumper events.

The event is popular with local equestrians as well as spectators, who are invited to bring lawn chairs and sunscreen and spend the day taking in all of the activity in the barns and show rings.

According to Susan Stoetzel, the show is an insider’s look at the equestrian scene in St. Tammany, where horse farms dot the landscape.

“The show is a family friendly event that gives newcomers to horsemanship and riding the opportunity to view it firsthand,” she said. “The exciting Jumper Classic on Saturday afternoon is a competition of the best riders of the weekend and is the special feature of this four day event.”

You don’t have to be an English riding expert to enjoy the competitions, but a little research can enhance the experience.

In addition to the main competitions, there will be two exhibitions beginning with the Hunter Jumper Competition on Friday at 8 a.m.

At 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, some of the most experienced equestrians in the area will take center stage for the $1,500 Jumper Classic. The purse is divided among the top eight riders and horses who jump fences as high as 3’6” in a timed round. Downed obstacles detract from the time so a clean fast ride is optimum.

“The audience gets very involved with this event, cheering on for their favorites,” Kathleen Aertker said.

Before the classic, there are plenty of ways to help with the fundraising effort, including purchasing a glass of the Advocacy’s Center special blend of iced tea or iced coffee as well as a commemorative T-shirt.

Other ways to support the fundraising effort include donating items to the silent auction (which takes place Friday and Saturday) or buying signage for one of the jump obstacles at the show. Prices for a half sign are $250 and $450 covers the full jump.

“You can advertise your business, an event or your family and all of the money goes directly to Hope House,” Taurman said.

According to Taurman, the auction will include a variety of equine-related items as well as some beautiful pieces of jewelry, a wheelbarrow full of gardening items, artwork, baskets of wine and most Saints memorabilia.

We would love to have more items for the auction, especially anything to do with Father’s Day,” she said. “We can group small items like barbecue tools and other items a dad might like into a basket.”

The auction, which will close immediately after the Saturday evening Jumper Classic, is always an exciting time, with squeals of delight as winners step up to claim their bounty.

“The community can help by coming out to the event, bid on auction items and stop by the Advocacy Center’s for a cold drink,” Taurman said. “It will be hot, but find a spot of shade and it is a serene experience watching all of the activity in a beautiful setting.”

The Advocacy Center is also selling raffle tickets for a basket filled with a $100 gift certificate to La Provence, two bottles of wine plus a retreat package from Stone Creek Health Club, which includes two hourlong services, a pedicure, lunch and pass to the health club for the day.

Raffle tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the Advocacy Center tent or by calling Hope House in Covington at 892.3885 Ext. 1.

There will food available to purchase during breakfast and lunch hours as well as a snowball vendor. And a number of Lemonade Brigade teams will be selling ice cold lemonade, iced tea and cookies.

According to Mary Brent Brown, 15, all of the Lemonade Brigade money raised at the show will be donated to the Advocacy Center.

“A lot of kids who volunteer with the Lemonade Brigade have a strong interest in raising money for the Advocacy Center so this is a great opportunity for them,” Brown said, adding that the teams will be at the show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday only.

According to Taurman, the Children’s Advocacy Center/Hope House is a facility where victims of child abuse can be interviewed warm, non-threatening environment. The center is dependent upon the community for funding.

While some money is provided by municipalities and the parishes of St. Tammany and Washington which the facility serves, more than two-thirds of their budget is dependent upon fundraisers, grants, and donations.

No one is ever charged for the services the center provides.

So bring a lawn chair, sunscreen and a hat, drink lots of liquids, bid on auction items and enjoy one of the region’s most popular benefit horse shows. Lagniappe Farm is located at 13349 Verger Road, about a mile north of the second traffic light in Folsom.

For information on how to sponsor a jump donate an item to the auction or purchase a raffle ticket, call Taurman at 985.892.3885 extension 4.